Dolphins reportedly placing starting QB Malik Willis on IR with groin injury

It turns out that the most noteworthy move the Miami Dolphins made on Tuesday before the NFL trade deadline arrived at 4:00 p.m. ET had nothing to do with the club acquiring talent or future draft assets. 

Dolphins set to have a new starting quarterback for some time

On Tuesday afternoon, NFL insider Tom Pelissero of Netflix and The Ringer revealed that the Dolphins are placing starting quarterback Malik Willis on injured reserve.

"Willis has been battling a groin injury that impacted his mobility," Pelissero explained. "An MRI showed it has now developed into a core muscle injury, which requires rest. Not season-ending, but he’ll miss at least four weeks."

On Nov. 15, the 1-7 Dolphins will play at a 2-7 Indianapolis Colts team that completed somewhat of a fire sale ahead of the trade deadline. As of late Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had Miami as a 3.5-point road underdog against Indianapolis. 

What's next for the Dolphins after this latest Malik Willis development? 

Chatter arose before the Dolphins entered their Week 6 bye at 0-5 suggesting that Miami could eventually consider benching Willis in favor of backup Kyle McCord. According to ESPN stats, Willis began Tuesday ranked 20th in the league among qualified players with a 52.6 adjusted QBR for the season. Per Pro-Football-Reference, he ended Week 9 ranked 28th in the league among qualified quarterbacks with a 76.1 passer rating. Over eight games, he tossed six touchdown passes and six interceptions. 

As Pelissero referenced, Willis must miss at least four games while on injured reserve. As for the previously mentioned McCord, the 2025 sixth-round pick has never attempted a regular-season pass as a pro. As noted by Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, McCord presumably will start Sunday’s game against the Colts. The Dolphins also have former New York Jets signal-caller and 2025 undrafted rookie Brady Cook on their practice squad. 

Per ESPN, it was also learned on Tuesday that Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler will miss the rest of this season because of a ruptured biceps.